A devastating tour bus accident occurred on Friday, resulting in multiple fatalities, including at least one child. The incident happened on a highway approximately 30 miles east of Buffalo, New York, as the bus was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City. According to officials, survivors were left trapped beneath the damaged vehicle, highlighting the severity of the crash.
The accident took place when the driver, traveling at what witnesses described as “full speed,” lost control of the bus for reasons that remain unclear. Trooper James O’Callaghan, a spokesman for the New York State Police, reported that every passenger sustained at least “some sort of cut, bruise, or abrasion” as a result of the collision. Tragically, many passengers were not wearing seatbelts, leading to several individuals being ejected from the bus during the crash.
Despite the chaos, the driver survived and is reportedly “alive and well.” However, the death toll includes at least one child, and several passengers remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the full extent of the tragedy. Trooper O’Callaghan clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, no other vehicles, including a semi-truck, were involved in the incident.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene as the bus lost control, veering into the median before overcorrecting and ending up in a ditch. Trooper O’Callaghan detailed that the bus rolled over, leading to multiple ejections and trapping several individuals under the vehicle. The police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this catastrophic accident.
In response to the crash, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement expressing her condolences and confirming that her office is working closely with the New York State Police and other agencies involved in the emergency response. The president of Mercy Flight, Margaret Ferrentino, noted that their organization’s helicopters have been actively transporting injured survivors to local medical facilities.
By 2 p.m. on the day of the accident, helicopters had successfully transported two injured children to Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, along with one adult to Erie County Medical Center and another adult to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Ferrentino remarked on the extensive nature of the response, stating, “I think we will be busy for a while here. It is a multi-agency response, both air and ground.” She concluded her statement with a prayer for the victims and the safety of the responders.
This tragic tour bus accident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety measures, such as seatbelt use, during travel. As the investigation unfolds, the community is left mourning the loss of lives and supporting the families affected by this unexpected calamity.
